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"Song Of The
Irish Whistle"
Since
its release in 1995, "Song Of The Irish Whistle" has become a
classic CD, selling well into the six figures, and receiving universal
critical acclaim. Joanie Madden's whistle touches the heart in
this lushly produced and beautifully played Irish classic. The
opening track, "The Immigrant", co-written by Joanie and Brian
Keane, has been used in movie scores and compilation CDs, and
Joanie's cover of "Women Of Ireland" helped propel the original
"Celtic Twilight" compilation to gold
record status. Other standouts include "Down By The Sally Gardens",
"The Otter's Nest", the beautiful "Meogh Seola", and the rousing
"The Legacy Jig". Guest musicians include pianist John Boswell,
harp-guitarist John Doan, piper Jerry O'Sullivan, guitarists Gabriel
Donohue and John Doyle, accordionist John Whelan, and percussionist
Glen Velez. "Song Of The Irish Whistle" was recorded at Little
Big Feet Studios, and mixed by Brian Keane and Ron Bach. The whole
CD is a wonderful experience from beginning to end, considered
by many to be one of Brian Keane's very best productions. Five
years after its initial release, "Song Of The Irish Whistle" is
still each year outselling most new CDs of its style and genre.
Track
List:
1.
The Immigrant
2. Down By The Salley Gardens
3. The Otter's Nest/Richie Dwyer's
4. The Level Plain
5. Loftus Jones
6. Women Of Ireland
7. The Legacy Jig/Tar Road To Sligo
8. The Black Rose
9. The Mountain Of Women
10. Flight Of The Wild Geese
11. The South Wind
12. Lord Mayo
Release
Date: February 22, 1996
Label: Hearts O' Space
Reviews:
Amazon.com: Five stars
"Eileen Ivers is one of the guest musicians on this, the solo
album from the tin whistle virtuoso of the all-female Irish American
folk band Cherish the Ladies. Like Ivers, Madden is a Senior All-Ireland
champion on her instrument and has modernized traditional tunes
by adding synthesizers (courtesy of producer and new-age star
Brian Keane) and electric bass. On this all-instrumental album,
Madden doesn't pursue Ivers' improvisational flights but rather
an atmospheric lushness of sound. At times, the recording threatens
to lapse into mood music, but the sturdiness of the traditional
tunes and the piercing purity of Madden's tone prevent that. Instead
the pop touches merely provide an inviting setting for the lyrical
whistle lines." -- Geoffrey Himes
Dirty Linen: "For her new solo recording on the Hearts
O'Space label, Joanie Madden figured out how to please the label's
clientele (who generally go for relaxing, sleepy, spacey music)
without compromising her own musical integrity. She simply reversed
the emphasis found on most Irish music albums these days, brought
slow airs to the forefront and sprinkled in some dance tunes for
good measure. The result is a very nice recording of Irish airs
with some neat stuff mixed in; Madden's experiments with whistle
effects are fun and interesting, as are the state of the art accompaniment
and production by Brian Keane and a cast of wonderful players."
-- Steve Winick -- © Dirty Linen, Ltd. All rights reserved
Irish Edition: "Joanie Madden at her best...Great
inventiveness in the arrangements...Brilliant playing...Exquisite...Amazing...Incredible...Joanie
Madden is pure class, head and shoulders above the rest, and this
album proves it!" -- Jamie O'Brien
MRA Entertainment Group: "'Song Of The Irish Whistle'
is undisputed style and quality. The fully-instrumental album
portrays the hallmark of what is becoming the contemporary Celtic
sound. Brian Keane, who produced and orchestrated the CD, uses
a full range of both traditional and conventional instruments,
the finished product is brought together with great sensitivity
and passion. From the authentic sounding 'Loftus Jones', written
by one of Ireland's great harp players O'Carolan, to the lushly
orchestrated 'The Level Plain', the whole recording is filled
with an intense and joyful ambience. The combination of Madden's
soft, piercing whistles and Keane's delicate acoustics adds to
making 'Song Of The Irish Whistle' one of the Celtic musical highlights
of the year."
Irish America Magazine: "Madden...at her dazzling
best...magnificent...don't let this one slip through your fingers!"
-- Colin Lacy
NAPRA Review: "Supported by outstanding world-class
musicians, this tour of the old country is a must for those whou
still desire the fire of the heart. there is not one cut I didn't
love. Madden is, without a doubt, the reigning queen of the Irish
whistle." -- RGW
Atlantis Rising: "Hearts Of Space does it again with
'Song Of The Irish Whistle', produced and orchestrated by Brian
Keane. For a delicious dose of lyrical Irish ballads and a few
lively jigs, this inspired recording sparkles with life, creativity,
and a few surprises along the way. Joanie Madden's heartfelt performances
make these ageless melodies sing out with a depth and spirit that
transcends borders and beliefs. A treat from beginning to end."
-- Robert J. Resetar
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